This introduction
to Zoroastrianism assumes no prior knowledge of the faith. It is
presented here as a living faith with a coherent theology
and a persuasive ethic of good thoughts, good words
and good deeds.

Paperback ISBN:

978-1-898723-78-3

Paperback Price:

£14.95 / $24.95

Release Date:

September 1998

Page Extent / Format:

232 pp. / 216 x 138 mm

Illustrated:

No

Foreword by W. J. Johnson
Preface
Acknowledgements

I An Ancient Faith: Zarathushtra – Prophet and Priest 1 The Gathas of the Prophet Zarathushtra2 The Transmission of the Gathas 3 The Authorship and Integrity of the Gathas4 Dating the Prophet – the Gathic Evidence (and other suggestions) 5 The Problem of the Prophet's Homeland 6 Zarathushtra’s Death

II Ahura Mazda, Spenta Mainyu and the Divine Heptad 1 Zarathushtra on Ahura Mazda and the “Divine Relationship” 2 Spenta Mainyu and the Individual Amesha Spentas: Their functions and liturgical representations 3 The Divine Heptad and the Individual Zoroastrian4 Ahura Mazda and the Amesha Spentas in the Later Literature 5 Some Other Important Ahuric References

III Zoroastrian Eschatology 1 The Eschatology of the Gathas 2 The Eschatology of the Later Literature

IV The Two Existences and the Problem of Evil 1 Menog and Getig 2 The Problem of Evil Creatures in the Vendidad3 Eschatological Considerations: The Stages of History and the Human Journey

VI A Living Faith – Zoroastrian Worship, Rituals and Other Observances1 The Yasna, an “Inner” Ceremony 2 The Afrinagan, an “Outer” Ceremony 3 Birth and Early Infancy 4 Initiation – the Navjote Ceremony 5 Initiation and Vocation – the Zoroastrian Priesthood 6 Marriage 7 Death and Funerary Rites 8 Purification: The Barashnum i-no shab 9 The Instrumental and Expressive Functions of Zoroastrian Ritual 10 Holy Days, Holy Months and a Disputed Calendar 11 A Worshipping Community and Three Zoroastrian Prayers

VII A Living Faith – Zoroastrian Ethics1 Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds 2 The Five Faculties and Truth 3 Justice 4 The Unbreakable Nature of the Contract as an Ethical Paradigm 5 Putting it into Practice: Charity, Benevolence and the Parsi Zoroastrians

VIII Identity, Unity and Disparity: Zoroastrianism Today 1 Who is a Zoroastrian? 2 The Europeans and the Zoroastrians: Orthodoxy and Reform, Text and Praxis 3 The Status of Women in Contemporary Zoroastrianism4 Other Issues in Contemporary Zoroastrianism and a Glance to the Future

Recommended for general readers, all academic levels, and professionals and practitioners.Choice

The author brings new ideas and insight to issues which have long been the focus of academic debate.The Expository Times

Everyone who needs to know about Zoroastrianism must read this well written book.
Dr Pallan R. Ichaporia, co-author/co-translator of the Gathas

Zoroastrianism addresses, in a unique and compelling way, ethical issues that are still alive in the modern world. Not only does it raise fundamental questions about what it is to be a human being, and the nature of good and evil, it also considers the relationship of humans to the natural world in a vibrantly positive light.
Dr W.J. Johnson, Senior Lecturer in Religious Studies, University of Wales, Cardiff

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